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KC Delivers Reality Series to Discovery Channel

posted on February 27, 2015

Photo by KEITH MYERS THE KANSAS CITY STAR“New Girls on The Block,” a television reality series shot exclusively in KC, will premiere on the Discovery Life Channel Thursday, April 2, at 10/9 p.m., central. The announcement was made Monday by the Kansas City Film & New Media Office in partnership with local production studio Reality Road, an entertainment group within Hint.

With an initial order for five episodes, “New Girls on the Block” will follow the lives of six local transgender women as they go through various stages of transition and navigate their new lives. It is a compassionate look at the process and the challenges that these women face on a daily basis—from their family and friends, their work environments and society in general.

The genesis for a KC-based reality TV series surfaced last year when the Transgender Institute of Kansas City met with Reality Road, the entertainment group within Hint. The show was sold to Discovery Life last fall, and shooting began in Kansas City in mid-December and wrapped last month. Post-production immediately follows with the network planning an April 2 airdate.

“We are extremely proud that the show was filmed entirely in Kansas City,” said Steph Scupham of Visit KC’s Film & New Media Office. “It prominently features our city, our diverse locations and a wonderful local cast,” she said. “It’s interesting to note that more local crew members were hired on this project than the LA-based company has ever hired before.”

Since re-opening in October, the Film Office was able to hit the ground running with production assistance for “New Girls on The Block.”

Teri Rogers and Matt Antrim, executive producers from Reality Road, assembled the rest of the crew from Kansas City.

“We think Kansas City is a great place for shooting a series,” said Colin Whelan, executive producer with Conveyor Media. “Not only has the city welcomed us with open arms, but the level of production talent is awesome. We definitely hope to be doing more in Kansas City moving forward.”

Depending on how the show is received, Discovery Life is looking forward to expanding the series with the bulk of the shows continuing to be shot in Kansas City.

“Having regular episodic television based in Kansas City would be a win for Kansas City,” says Scupham. “We look forward to continuing to work with Conveyor and Discovery.”

“New Girls on the Block” is produced by Conveyor Media in association with Reality Road. Jay James, Colin Whelan, Teri Rogers and Matt Antrim are executive producers. Caroline Gibbs, director of the Transgender Institute in Kansas City, serves as co-executive producer. For Discovery Life Channel, Julie Meisner Eagle is vice president of production, Jane Latman is general manager, and Henry Schleiff is Group President, Investigation Discovery, American Heroes Channel, Destination America, Discovery Family Channel, and Discovery Life Channel.

About the Kansas City Film & New Media Office
The Kansas City Film & New Media Office leads the city’s efforts to attract film, television and new media productions to the community. A part of Visit KC, the Film Office focuses on three core priorities: Production Assistance, Project Recruitment and Industry Support. The office acts as first point of contact between filmmakers and Kansas City to help filmmakers save time, effort and money during their production. Working with its partners, the Film Office connects filmmakers with local resources through the Kansas City Film Commission, city permits and services through the KCMO Office of Culture & Creative Services and state resources through the Missouri Film Commission.

About Discovery Life Channel
On January 15, 2015, Discovery Fit & Health became Discovery Life Channel – a network that embraces all of life’s unplanned moments. Discovery Life brings viewers a kaleidoscope of human emotions and experiences through the true stories of ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances. From critical turning points to unexpected moments, Discovery Life tackles life’s surprising twists and turns. For more information, please visit DiscoveryLife.com , Facebook.com/DiscoveryLifeChannel or Twitter.com/disclifechannel. Discovery Life Channel is part of Discovery Communications (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK), the world’s #1 pay-TV programmer reaching nearly 3 billion cumulative subscribers in 220 countries and territories.

About Hint (Reality Road Entertainment)
Based in Kansas City, Hint is a digital content and strategic marketing group working with agencies and brands throughout the country in broadcast, digital, original content and experience with a focus on storytelling through live action, technology and animation. Reality Road is Hint’s original program development group and specializes in reality and documentary series production for television.